SAN JOSE — Emma Hayes is as competitive as they come. Losing grates on her. The sounds of opponents celebrating nearby — as Brazil did in PayPal Park’s center circle Tuesday night after a 2-1 victory over the U.S. women’s national soccer team — are not soon forgotten.
But the London-born coach also understands the importance of strengthening the sport’s preeminent program. It will not always be perfect. Tossing inexperienced players onto the pitch against an elite foe comes with short-term risk and potentially long-term reward.
“We mustn’t always measure progress by outcome,” Hayes said after her team conceded the winning goal in second-half stoppage time.